Athena Research Center is the only research center in Greece dedicated to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Digital Sciences, serving as a national hub for digital research and innovation. Its vision is to achieve international excellence in research, with a strong emphasis on innovation and the transfer of technology to the economy and society. Through the development of innovative technologies and solutions, Athena contributes to addressing national and international digital challenges, generating impact across industry and society. It operates facilities in Athens, Patras and Xanthi, with additional presence in Chania, Tripoli and Mytilene.

With more than 35 years of history, Athena operates as a Legal Private Law Entity and has evolved into one of the country’s leading pillars of research, digital innovation and technological development.

Structure

Athena comprises 4 Institutes:

and

7 Research or Development Units:

  • Corallia Unit – Development and support of innovation clusters and entrepreneurial ecosystems (Athens)
  • Space Programs Unit (Athens)
  • Environmental and Networking Technologies and Applications Unit (Xanthi)
  • Pharma Informatics Unit (Athens)
  • Sustainable Development Unit (Athens)
  • Archimedes Unit – Research in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Algorithms (Athens)
  • Innovation Unit for Women (Athens)

Athena also established and hosts Greece’s first Center of Excellence in Robotics:

HERON – Hellenic Robotics Center of Excellence.

Areas of Activity and Strategic Orientation

Athena’s activities are structured around core research domains and key application areas:

Core Research Areas

  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Data and Computing Infrastructures
  • Speech and Language Technologies
  • Robotics and Autonomous Systems
  • Security and Protection of Systems and Networks
  • Telecommunications

Key Application Domains

  • Health, Life Sciences and Agri-food
  • Culture, Education and Tourism
  • Security and Resilience of Systems and Infrastructures
  • Sustainable Development and Environment
  • Industry 4.0 & Internet of Things

Athena supports the full research and innovation cycle, from fundamental and applied research to the development of systems, products and services, fostering synergies between the research and business ecosystems. It shapes a dynamic research and innovation environment in which Institutes, Development Units, spin-offs and collaborative entrepreneurial initiatives coexist.

A key pillar of Athena’s mission is the development and operation of national and international Research Infrastructures, supporting Open Science and delivering advanced services to both the research and business communities. Athena’s international presence and recognition are built upon its accumulated expertise and its highly skilled, scientifically specialized human capital.

Strategic Priorities:

  • Research planning oriented toward high-impact fundamental and applied research
  • Technology transfer without geographical limitations
  • Development of human research capital through the identification and support of talented young scientists
  • Continuous expansion of partnerships with companies, governmental bodies, regional and local authorities, as well as international research and educational institutions
  • Educational initiatives for the creation or participation in national and international postgraduate programs

Athena’s Impact in Research and Innovation

Size and Capacity

  • As of 2025, employs more than 950 professionals.

Research Performance

  • Ranks 6th in attracting European research funding among Greek universities and research centers.

Education

  • Co-organizes 4 inter-institutional Master’s Degree Programs.
  • Supervises more than 150 doctoral dissertations and postgraduate theses.

Innovation & Technology Transfer

  • Achieved the largest academic spin-off exit in Greece, with the acquisition of Innoetics by Samsung Electronics.
  • Founded 10 spin-offs, five of which are currently active in the market.
  • Participates in the Science Agora Technology Transfer Offices Network in collaboration with Athens University of Economics and Business, NCSR “Demokritos”, and the National Technical University of Athens.

Research and Technological Milestones

  • Presented the first open Large Language Models (LLMs) in the Greek language: Meltemi (2024) and Llama-Krikri (2025).
  • Participates as a partner in the Greek AI Factory PHAROS.

European and International Networks and Infrastructures

  • Founded the European non-profit organization OpenAIRE, a pillar of the EU’s Open Data policy.
  • Represents Greece in the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC).
  • Participates as a partner in 7 major Pan-European Research Infrastructures.
  • Participates in 3 of the 4 European Digital Innovation Hubs established in Greece.
  • Co-founded the SDSN Global Climate Hub, based in Greece, providing scientific recommendations to address the climate crisis.
  • Coordinates the EIT Climate KIC Hub Greece.